 Ordering a custom portrait is easy
Custom pet portraits are very personal. Therefore here at Muddy Paws I will work closely with you every step of the way during your portrait's creation. I will send you on-going e-mails with photos to keep you up to date regarding your pet portrait's progress.
Lead Time
The time frame it takes to complete a commission depends on two factors:
- How many commissions are currently in progress
- Time of year
That being said, usually after the portrait has been commissioned and the deposit is received, the finished portrait will be completed within 6-8 weeks. A more accurate completion date will be given at the time of ordering. Orders for holiday giving should be arranged 3-4 months prior. If you have a special time requirement or date in mind, a suitable time schedule can normally be facilitated.
Payment Policy & Artist's Rights
- To ensure sincerity of the order, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required. The remainder is to be paid upon approval of the finished artwork. Types of payment accepted: Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, personal check or money order.
- Each commissioned portrait is a one of a kind artwork. Please understand that Muddy Paws and retains the copyright on all work (including commissions). Your purchase is restricted to the original piece of work only. Under no circumstances are you able reproduce artwork for sale or profit.
- Please understand that Muddy Paws reserves the right to reproduce newly commissioned works on greeting cards, calendars, prints, and other merchandise. Contact Kristi with any questions or clarification.
Packaging & Shipping
- Your artwork will be sent unframed, flat and suitably protected and packaged.
- There are several options for the method of shipment/postage depending on the destination. The method and cost will be agreed upon at the time of ordering.
- The client is to pay actual cost of postage and handling.
Gift Certificates
- You can purchase gift certificates for specific portraits or for any dollar amount you choose to be credited toward a portrait order.
Placing an Order
| Step 1 | Contact Muddy Paws either by email or phone to start a dialog about a possible portrait.
e-mail: kristi@muddypawspetportraits.com
phone: (330-607-0210)
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| Step 2 | Send two or more photos of your pet.
- Photos can be sent via post or email. Photos, CD's, etc. submitted by post will be returned in exactly the same condition as they are received. The detail of the completed artwork is related to the quality and clarity of the photos. The photo(s) to be used for the portrait should be clear and should accurately depict the colors of your pet. Additional photos provide me with insights to your pet's personality, coloring, details, etc.
- Ideally, you want your pet's face to fill most of the frame while still being in clear focus. Even if you're getting a full body portrait, it is your pet's face that really identifies him or her as your own.
Read through the following tips and have fun. With a little patience you should be able to catch that special "look" with the camera. After all, who knows your pet better than you?
Photos must be:
- Very close-up photos that are in focus
- Do not use a flash. Even if there is no red-eye in the photo, flash eliminates appealing shadows and generally creates a startled, stark look in the subject as well as changing natural color.
- Photographed at eye level with your pet
- If possible, photograph each animal separately. A group portrait can be composed from separate photos.
- The better you follow these guidelines, the better your artwork will be!
Email your photos to: kristi@muddypawspetportraits.com
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| Step 3 | Submit a 50% non-refundable deposit (the remainder is to be paid upon approval of the finished artwork. Payment can be made through Paypal, personal check, or money order. |
| Step 4 | When the portrait nears completion, a picture of the portrait will be sent to you via email.
Subtle changes can be accommodated.
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| Step 5 | Give final approval of the portrait and submit final payment including shipping.
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| Step 6 | Portrait will be shipped or delivered to you according to the pre-arranged method.
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Various Other Photo Tips
- Remember that subjects and backgrounds can be combined from separate photos.
- Don't worry about items like leashes, collars or hands showing on your photos because they can easily be omitted from the pet portrait.
- Important: If a professional photographer takes your photos I require permission from the photographer to use them. You can obtain this by calling the photographer and requesting a written statement.
- Size of subject in favored pose. Frequently a client will present a photo in which the subject can only be seen with a microscope. Remember that I have never met your pet and can only recreate what I can see. The larger and more detailed the subject is, the more certain I can be in capturing the individual characteristics of your pet.
- Look at the lighting.
- Are the details in the photo washed out by flash?
- Are the colors accurate?
- Can you see the eye color?
- Are the eyes open or closed?
- If your favored pose shot is not perfect, look for supplementary photos that I can use to fill in the blanks.
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